§ Mr. Biggs-Davisonasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he
Offence Maximum sentence in Northern Ireland Maximum sentence in Republic of Ireland Capital murder (see note) Not applicable Death Murder Life imprisonment Life imprisonment Arson Life imprisonment Life imprisonment Kidnapping and false imprisonment Life imprisonment Life imprisonment Offences against the person (a) Wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm Life imprisonment Life imprisonment (b) Causing grievous bodily harm 5 years 5 years Explosives (a) Causing explosion likely to endanger life or damage property Life imprisonment Life imprisonment (b) Attempting to cause an explosion likely to endanger life or damage property or possessing explosives with intent to do so 20 years 20 years (c) Making or possessing explosives in suspicious circumstances 14 years 14 years Robbery and burglary (a) Robbery Life imprisonment Life imprisonment (b) Aggravated burglary Life imprisonment Life imprisonment Firearms (a) Possessing firearms with intent to endanger life or cause serious injury to property Life imprisonment 20 years (b) Possessing firearms in suspicious circumstances 10 years 5 years (c) Carrying a firearm with criminal intent 14 years 10 years Hijacking of vehicles 15 years 15 years Membership (a) Membership of illegal organisation 5 years 7 years (b) Inciting or inviting persons to join an illegal organisation 5 years 10 years Note: The law of the Republic of Ireland retains the death penalty for certain categories of murder.